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COVID-19: The Latest

July 18: Events canceled/postponed due to coronavirus

Due to the precautions being taken surrounding the coronavirus, the following changes have been made regarding events and meetings in the local area: ¯ The 74th-annual Weirton Steel Corp. 25-Year Club picnic set for July 18 has been canceled. ¯ The planned in-person graduation ceremony for Brooke High School’s Class of 2020 set for Thursday has been canceled. ¯ The 2020 Ohio River Sweep has been postponed to 2021, and the date will be determined. ¯ The annual Teddy Bear Tea held in July at Mary H. Weir Public Library has been canceled. It will resume in July 2021. ¯ ...

Jefferson County moves from yellow to orange on COVID-19 advisory map

STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County is now at Level 2 — orange on Ohio’s color-coded COVID-19 advisory map, Health Commissioner Nicole Balakos reports. Level 2 indicates there’s been increased exposure and spread. “The rating of orange is validation of the serious warnings I gave last week,” Balakos said. “I am greatly concerned about the potential ramifications to our county if this pattern continues in future weeks. The spread of COVID-19 as we continue into the summer and fall remains critical. The next four weeks will determine the overall health of our community in ...

Brooke shutting down athletics until July 27

WELLSBURG — Brooke County school officials have announced all of the school district’s athletic programs have been halted after it was discovered an athlete tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes as Brooke and Hancock county health officials report more patients of various ages testing positive for the virus. Stephanie Zimmer, spokesperson for the school district, said plans call for athletic programs to be shut down until July 27 in keeping with guidelines set by the National Federation of State High School Associations, West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission ...

July 17: Events canceled/postponed due to coronavirus

Due to the precautions being taken surrounding the coronavirus, the following changes have been made regarding events and meetings in the local area: ¯ The 74th-annual Weirton Steel Corp. 25-Year Club picnic set for Saturday has been canceled. ¯ The planned in-person graduation ceremony for Brooke High School’s Class of 2020 set for Thursday has been canceled. ¯ The annual Teddy Bear Tea held in July at Mary H. Weir Public Library has been canceled. It will resume in July 2021. ¯ Mingo Community Days, normally held each July, has been canceled. ¯ The 203rd-annual on-site ...

Wear masks, DeWine begs — not orders

COLUMBUS — Early during the coronavirus outbreak, Ohio’s Republican governor appeared prophetic with his decisive steps to ban spectators from a sports expo, shut down all schools before any other state and put a stop to the presidential primary. Since then, Gov. Mike DeWine has ...

‘Human nature desires physical contact’

After practicing social distancing for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are getting back to shaking hands and even hugging, with hand sanitizer nearby. As a result, mayors and community leaders throughout the Midwest agree that while the decision to do so depends on the person and their preferences, everyone should remain cautious and health-minded as they do so. MICHIGAN At Living Hope Church in Alpena, services are currently being held in the parking lot, with social distancing encouraged. People can sit in their cars and listen to the service through their ...